Striper mortality

[Guppy]

Proposal to Reduce Striped Bass Release Mortality
This winter DMF will be proposing to implement two new conservation measures for the striped bass fisheries aimed at minimizing the number of fish that are killed through hooking and releasing. The proposed measures would prohibit the use of gaffs and mandate the use of in-line circle hooks when using live or cut natural baits.

The Massachusetts recreational striped bass fishery is primarily catch and release. Our anglers release about 93% of all the striped bass they catch. Discards in the commercial striped bass fishery, though difficult to quantify, are also believed to make up a significant share of the catch, especially given the larger minimum size for that fishery. Studies have shown that about 9% of released striped bass will die from the effects of hooking and handling (called release mortality). Given that recent stock assessments have shown that fishing mortality is increasing, we think it is time to institute some broad-based and effective measures to lower the mortality rate and ensure the future health of the striped bass stock.

We have heard from many anglers that feel a no-gaffing rule in the striped bass fishery is a no-brainer. Using a gaff to assist in bringing your catch aboard causes significant injury to the fish and there is often no way to tell the precise length of this fish until it is removed from the water. Given that our fisheries release large numbers of striped bass that are just below the legal size limit, we feel it is irresponsible to continue to allow the practice. Numerous other Atlantic coast states have already implemented such a provision in their striped bass fisheries, including Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia.

The mandatory use of in-line circle hooks is the single most effective way to decrease mortality in striped bass. There are many studies that demonstrate the efficacy of circle hooks in lowering release mortality in striped bass and other species. Deep hooking (i.e., when the hook catches in the esophagus or gills rather than the lip) is the major contributor to release mortality. It has been demonstrated that the use of circle hooks, as compared to j hooks, greatly reduces the incidence of deep hooking and therefore mortality. The latest catch estimate from the revised Marine Recreational Information Program (see page 7) indicates that Massachusetts recreational anglers released almost 13 million striped bass in 2017. If we apply the release mortality rate of 9%, that means over 1 million striped bass died after being released. That’s compared to only 300,000 that were taken home and eaten! Clearly the mortality resulting from fishing in Massachusetts can have an effect on the striped bass population. That’s why DMF is proposing the mandatory use of circle hooks for anglers using certain natural baits. A study in Maryland found a 90% reduction in mortality when using in-line circle hooks. Imagine if we could reduce the number of release deaths from over a million fish to 100,000!

DMF will be bringing the proposal to implement these two conservation regulations to public hearing this winter. We seek the public’s input on certain aspects of how the regulations will apply. For instance, should the gaffing and circle hook rules apply to the recreational, for-hire, and commercial sectors universally or should some groups be exempt; should artificial lures with bait (e.g., tube and worm) be included? We hope to see you at the public hearings and let us know your opinion.

[Clammer]

Do they really believe that the mass , Rec fishery is 95% C&R ………………. I guess they don,t count the canal

those guys fishing in the canal . that have the outfits worth more than their cars/ truck/s are not going home empty handed

[Jenn]

My issue has always been "we dont ever really know" but if your catching and either keeping or releasing you never truly know on the releasing part. If you are fishing and catching / releasing you cant truly know but have to assume some amount of mortality even when releasing. I have caught 20 times more largemouth in my life than stripers so I am basing most of my response on that expertise specifically but I have caught 10 bass in a couple hours on the same lure/ method and release 9 confident they would live no issue but that one ....that one was roughed up and bled more than the other 9 combined......we've all been there and cant deny it happens. Catch and release all you want...make yourself feel good about releasing but fact of the matter is you are weakening every fish you catch in some manner. Some (and maybe most) will survive....but some will suffer. Some may die 15 minutes later and some may not... some will heal, some might suffer infection and die a month later....my point is we cant prove catch and release is a hundred percent survival or hundred percent fatality. some will go one way or other...just like humans in a fight. Some could die in minutes from a blow to the head or some could get so brutally beaten and live against all odds. But don't ever assume every fish you release magically survives just because you released it.

[piemma]

Great post Jenn. EXACTLY!!
This is why I stopped fishing for hold overs years ago and for schoolies years ago. Why do people think that just because they release a fish it lives?

It's stupid to fish for schoolies, in my opinion. All you are doing is injuring juvenile fish. I know, "it's my right and I am within the law." That doesn't make you conservation minded. All you are doing is satisfying a primal instinct to prove you can conquer an adolescent animal with a brain the size of a pea.

I'm sure this post will piss off a ton of folks. Tough ^^%$$&!

[wdmso]

This is why I stopped fishing for hold overs years ago and for schoolies years ago. Why do people think that just because they release a fish it lives?


for the same reason people think just because you CR they Die

.. the best you can do is attempt to minimize the damage you do cause.. type hooks barbs or barbless dont use trebles unhook the fish in the water or dont target them all will help reduce fish moritaly..

but we still allow gill nets seine boats fish traps and pollution all effect this issues but not all equally

[Clammer]

Paul , not getting into any issues with ya .

but why do you hit a little white ball & then go chase it ??????????
I realize its not the same but the reason is …………………………… you really enjoy it . same reasons

Me , I have fun catching schoolies …………….. sometimes I only go for 1/2 a hour .But that 1/2 may be just what I need for the soul .
large I fish from the 3rd week of may & thru June & then if they are there or not I,m done ,
when I,m fishing the dead of night of a flay calm .& a 20" slams a 3" weightless sluggo right out of no where ………… to me that awesome ………….
I know there is no correct answer to this subject …………………. It makes me happy & at this stage …..if I was having fun sitting on glass I would do it ><>

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Clammer

Paul , not getting into any issues with ya .

but why do you hit a little white ball & then go chase it ??????????
I realize its not the same but the reason is …………………………… you really enjoy it . same reasons

Me , I have fun catching schoolies …………….. sometimes I only go for 1/2 a hour .But that 1/2 may be just what I need for the soul .
large I fish from the 3rd week of may & thru June & then if they are there or not I,m done ,
when I,m fishing the dead of night of a flay calm .& a 20" slams a 3" weightless sluggo right out of no where ………… to me that awesome ………….
I know there is no correct answer to this subject …………………. It makes me happy & at this stage …..if I was having fun sitting on glass I would do it ><>

Mike, I understand and my comments were not directed at you.

I have seen guys on the West Wall and the Canal throw fish 30 feet. Bryan and I watched guys kick schoolies back in the surf at the Fire Beach because they were afraid to touch the fish. So my comments were directed at the nitwits who don't know to handle a fish. Sorry if you thought I was directing at you.

[Guppy]

You’d have a hard time convincing me that pulling a shoolie out by the lip , remove hoook and toss him back in is gonna kill him...
I’m not talking taking a bow and a picture just pull the hook and heave him in....

This is from memory,,,, :-)